Snow disposal unit



1956 J. F. JOHNSTON, JR 3,22

SNOW DISPOSAL UNIT Filed March 18, 1964 INVENTOR. JOHN F. JOl/A/S 7' 01V JA.

BY ,s'm

United States Patent 3,228,390 SNOW DISPOSAL UNIT John F. Johnston, Jr., Spring Lake, Micln, assignor to Johnston Brothers, Inc., Ferryshurg, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 352,838 6 Claims. (Cl. 126343.5)

This invevntion relates to SHO disposal equipment, and more particularly to a snow disposal installation of a permanent type for parking lots and similar areas.

Various types of snow melting equipment have been devised in recent years, usually on moving vehicles for operation along streets. In many small towns in northern areas of the country, such equipment is too expensive to purchase, either by the city or by individual business proprietors. Consequently, areas such as parking lots of business establishments or public service organizations, including hospitals, are often clogged with piled snow. These piles of snow not only use substantial space, but often create dangerous driving conditions since they form visual barriers preventing drivers from seeing other vehicles. To haul the snow away with trucks is expensive and slow, but is usually the only practical solution for such situations.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a snow disposal unit readily installed in any parking lot or similar area, to dispose of snow by melting. It does not use any of the effective space of the area, nor does it create an obstacle above the surface of the ground. It can be installed in a stationary, yet readily accessible and hidden position to be immediately useful.

It is another object of this invention to provide a snow melting installation having a substantial capacity for snow piled into it, yet being relatively economical to operate. It moreover operates cleanly, eificiently, and safely. The unit is simple, and is convenient to service by any service man of conventional burner equipment.

It is another object of this invention to provide a snow melting unit installed with its upper surface flush with the ground surface, so as not to aesthetically detract from the appearance of the existing structures.

These and several other objects of this invention will become apparent upon studying the following specification in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the novel apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is a side, elevational, sectional view of the novel apparatus shown installed in the ground.

Basically, the novel apparatus 10 comprises a vessel which has an outer peripheral wall 12, preferably circular in configuration, but not necessarily so, an inner peripheral wall 14 spaced from the outer wall and generally concentric therewith. These walls define a central chamber 16 and a peripheral annular chamber 18. The bottom 20 of the vessel is secured to the peripheral walls as by welding. The structural components are preferably formed of a rigid steel construction similar to boiler plate material. The upper surface of the unit is flat and is flush with the ground surface 22.

The central chamber 16 is covered by a removable cap 24, which is flat and generally circular. It has a depend ing peripheral flange to locate it.

The outer peripheral chamber is covered by a plurality of hinged openable doors 26, here shown to be four in number. When the unit is circular in configuration, each of these annular doors has divergent edges and an arcuate outer edge. Each is pivotally mounted on its inner edge by hinges 28 to a central support 27 (to open as illustrated in FIG. 2).

Supporting the doors in their closed position, and reinforcing the walls of the chambers at the upper end of the vessel, is a plurality of four radially extending beams 32. Each has its ends welded to the two annular walls 14 and 12. Each of these beams has a substantial width to underlie the edges of two adjacent doors to support the doors and any load placed thereon.

Positioned within central chamber 16 is a burner assembly. It includes the burner head 38, a blower 40, a motor 42 for the blower, and a fuel oil pipe or gas conduit 44 with regulator 46 leading to the burner head. The fuel piping and wiring are positioned beneath beam 32' for protection. The burner is controlled by electrical switch 50 which operates the igniter head, utilizing the electrical wires which extend through the conduit 52, also beneath beam 32' for protection.

The burner head 38 is directed radially outwardly at the base of chamber 16 into the lower annular hot gas manifold between floor 20 and platform 62. This platform includes an annular plate 64 which separates the manifold from the upper portion of chamber 18. The hot gases from the burner are thus directed into this chamber to flow around the annulus. Adjacent the opening where the hot gases are injected is a panel 68. It extends vertically from the top to the bottom of the manifold and from the radial inner wall to the radial outer wall to completely block off the flow in this direction. Consequently, the flow is counterclockwise around the annular chamber as the unit is viewed in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the flow could be clockwise in other installations, of course.

Positioned within the chamber at spaced intervals are radially directed, alternately positioned flow control baf fles 70, etc. positioned at about 45 degree intervals around the circle. These cause the flue gases to take a generally sinuous path from the burner until they pass the last bafiie 70". The gases are then exhausted to the atmosphere through a vertically extensible exhaust duct 72. This stack can be lowered below the door during non-operating conditions to allow vehicles to pass over the unit. It is elevatable during operation as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 2 to prevent snow from being pushed down the stack into the manifold.

These bafiles 70, 70, etc. not only serve to prevent direct outflow of the hot gases by causing a sinuous indirect flow pattern, but also create heat absorbing surfaces from the hot gases to conduct the heat to the adjacent floor 64 to which they are connected. Further, they reinforce the snow platform, allowing it to accept a heavy snow load during use.

The manifold has a special inner wall 78 separate from and spaced slightly from inner wall 14. This forms a narrow, generally annular chamber 89 therebetween that extends from one side of the burner outlet 38 around to the opposite side. This chamber 80 fills with water at the start of the melting operation. It provides more uni form heat distribution characteristics to the manifold, and also prevents overheating of the inner wall 14 by the hot flue gases during operation. Since the burner gases are at such a very high temperature, around 2800 degrees F., the hot gases could cause damage to the burner, its control assembly, or the Wiring.

A water drain outlet 86 extends downwardly from its inlet at the upper portion of chamber 18 to drain the melted snow therefrom. It comprises a stand pipe 88 elevated several inches above the floor platform 64, to cause the water to remain in the unit to a certain depth during melting. This retained water, heated by the surface 64, has an excellent melting capacity since the snow tends to be submerged in it by its own weight when pushed in by a plow. If the water were all immediately drained out, the unit would be dependent completely upon the planar floor surface 64 to melt the snow. To prevent water from being retained in the unit during periods of non-use, however, a restricted orifice 90 is placed at the bottom of stand pipe 88.

3 OPERATION During periods of non-use, the unit upper surface is flush with the ground. Thus, vehicles can drive over it as necessary without causing damage. Further, it does not protrude up above the ground to detract from the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding architecture.

It can be readily installed in a vehicle parking lot, for example, by excavating an opening and burying the unit to its flush position. The wiring and fuel conduits are connected to it under one of the rigid beams 32' to operate the burner. When the unit is ready for operation, one or more of the doors 26 are swung open on their hinges. The vent stack 72 is elevated to prevent snow from being pushed into it. Then the snow plow pushes the snow into the vessel where it falls upon the surface 64. The hot gases from the burner are ejected into manifold 60, and flow through the indirect path against bafiles 70, 70', etc., to heat floor 64 directly and via the baffles before passing out stack 72. Water quickly fills the annular space 80 to prevent overheating of the central chamber and its wall. The melted snow water accumulates on surface 64 until it reaches the level of the top of stand pipe 88. Exess water flow out the stand pipe 88. Snow subsequently pushed into the unit falls into the heated water to be rapidly melted.

When the snow plowing is completed, the stack is lowered and the doors are closed. The residual water then slowly drains out through small opening 90, out the drain.

The burner unit is shut-olf using switch 50 after the manhole-type cover 24 is lifted.

This central independent cover arrangement is unique in this combustion in keeping the burner and electrical components completely dry in spite of the moisture and outdoor weather conditions in which it is used. The complete cover assembly also allows constant drainage around the edge of central cover 24 adjacent doors 26 during rain storms. It therefore serves as a rain drain also.

If at any time the burner unit needs servicing, this can be simply and quickly done by merely lifting protective cover 24 to allow the Serviceman access to the components.

Many additional advantages to those specifically recited will be obvious after reading this specification and studying the drawings. Also, it is conceivable that certain structural details may be modified to suit a particular application or type of construction without departing from the inventive concepts set forth herein. Consequently, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonable equivalents thereto.

I claim:

1. Snow disposal apparatus adapted to be buried in the ground, and having an upper surface adapted to be flush with the surface of the ground when so buried, comprising: a rigid vessel having a fiat upper surface including operable doors around its periphery to receive snow, and a bottom; said vessel having an outer, vertically oriented, continuous peripheral wall and an inner vertically oriented, continuous wall spaced from said outer wall, to form a central chamber inside said inner wall and a peripheral chamber between said walls; said peripheral chamber having a peripheral, elevated, generally horizontal platform portion between said walls and extending around said peripheral chamber forming a lower flue gas manifold therebeneath and an upper, snow receiving melting surface for snow in the upper portion of said peripheral chamber; burner means in said central chamber having a hot flue gas outlet into said base portion manifold; said manifold having spaced vertical bafiles therein, with upper edges abutting said platform portion forming heat transfer means to said platform portion; said baffles being offset from each other in a manner creating a sinuous gas flow pattern around the end edges thereof, and extending between said bottom and said platform portion, serving as reinforcing means for said platform portion; an exhaust duct from said manifold extending up past said upper portion; and a water drain outlet from said upper portion.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said manifold has a wall spaced from said inner wall forming a water-containing, heat protective zone therebetween.

3. The apparatus in claim 2 wherein said water drain outlet has an elevated opening to maintain a constant water level in said upper portion above said surface during operation for retaining heated water.

4. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said vessel includes a restricted supplemental outlet at said surface to allow complete drainage after a small delay during nonuse.

5. Snow disposal apparatus comprising: a vessel of rigid structural material adapted to be inserted into the ground, having an upper surface adapted to be flush with the surface of the ground when so buried, having a bottom, and including an inner continuous wall forming a central burner chamber therewithin and an outer continuous wall spaced from said inner wall and forming a peripheral chamber between it and said inner wall; a removable independent cover over said central chamber resting on said inner wall; said peripheral chamber including a lower hot gas conducting manifold portion having a heat exchanging upper surface, and said chamber including a snow receiving upper peripheral chamber portion over said manifold portion and surface; a burner unit in said central chamber, having its hot flue gas exhaust oriented radially into said manifold portion of said peripheral chamber to exhaust hot gases thereinto; said manifold portion having an exhaust stack adjacent said burner unit; said manifold portion having a vertical closure panel extending across the manifold between said burner exhaust and said exhaust stack to prevent flow directly to said stack, and having a plurality of generally radially oriented, vertical bafiies radially otfset from each other in a manner forming a generally sinuous ducting path around the edges thereof; said manifold portion being spaced from said inner wall to create a heat protective water retention clearance between said burner and inner wall unit and said manifold portion; a plurality of hinged horizontal trap doors enclosing the top of said peripheral chamber, allowing snow entry into said base portion; and a water outlet from said upper chamber portion.

6. Snow disposal apparatus adapted to be buried in the ground, and having an upper surface adapted to be flush with the surface of the ground when so buried, comprising: a rigid vessel having a flat upper surface including operable doors around its periphery to receive snow; said vessel having an outer continuous, vertically oriented peripheral wall and an inner continuous, vertically oriented wall spaced inwardly from said outer wall to form a central chamber within said inner wall and a peripheral chamber between said walls; a protective cover over said central chamber; said peripheral chamber having a peripheral platform portion between said walls forming a lower flue gas manifold therebeneath and a melting surface between said walls to receive snow in the upper portion of said peripheral chamber; burner means in said central chamber having a hot gas outlet into said base portion manifold; and a drain outlet from said upper portion, with its outlet substantially above said surface to form a hot water retention zone thereabove for rapid melting.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,193,740 8/1916 Townsend 126360 1,388,027 8/1921 Connolly 126-3435 2,247,239 6/1941 Keating 126360 2,494,260 1/1950 Osmond 126360 2,501,847 3/1950 Hayter 126-360 X 3,092,098 6/1963 Moore et al. 126343.5

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 1a., Primary Examiner. JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Examiner. 

1. SNOW DISPOSAL APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE BURIED IN THE GROUND, AND HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE ADAPTED TO THE FLUSH WITH THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WHEN SO BURIED, COMPRISING; A RIGID VESSEL HAVING A FLAT UPPER SURFACE INCLUDING OPERABLE DOORS AROUND ITS PERIPHERY TO RECEIVE INCLUDING A BOTTOM; SAID VESSEL HAVING AN OUTER, VERTICALLY ORIENTED CONTINUOUS PERIPHERAL WALL AND AN INNER VERTICALLY ORIENTED, CONTINUOUS WALL SPACED FROM SAID OUTER WALL TO FORM A CENTRAL CHAMBER INSIDE SAID INNER WALL AND A PERIPHERAL CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID WALLS; SAID PERIPHERAL CHAMBER HAVING A PERIPHERAL, ELEVATED, GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLATFORM PORTION BETWEEN SAID WALLS AND EXTENDING AROUND SAID PERIPHERAL CHAMBER FORMING A LOWER FLUE GAS MANIFOLD THEREBENEATH AND AN UPPER, SNOW RECEIVING MELTING SURFACE FOR SNOW IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID PERIPHERAL CHAMBER; BURNER MEANS IN SAID CENTRAL CHAMBER HAVING A HOT FLUE GAS OUTLET INTO SAID BASE PORTION MANIFOLD; SAID MANIFOLD HAVING SPACED VERTICAL BAFFLES PORTION FORMING HEAT PER EDGES ABUTTING SAID PLATFORM PORTION FORMING HEAT TRANSFER MEANS TO SAID PLATFORM PORTION; SAID BAFFLES BEING OFFSET FROM EACH OTHER IN A MANNER CREATING A SINUOUS GAS FLOW PATTERN AROUND THE EDGE THEREOF, AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BOTTOM AND SAID PLATFORM TION, SERVING AS REINFORCING MEANS FOR SAID PLATFORM PORTION; AN EXHAUST DUCT FROM SAID MANIFOLD DRAIN OUTLET FROM SAID UPPER PORTION. 